Montclair Schools Start the 2026-27 Year with New Busing, Phone, and Budget Changes

Montclair Public Schools opened the 2026-27 year with changes that families will feel right away: a higher K-8 busing distance threshold, a stricter all-day cell phone rule, and a budget that still carries the weight of last year's roughly $18 million deficit. For anyone moving to Montclair with school-age kids, these details shape the daily routine as much as the town's character. Here is the honest, practical breakdown.

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Busing rules changed for K-8 students

The district raised the K-8 busing eligibility distance from 1 mile to 1.25 miles, which means some students who were previously eligible for a bus no longer qualify and will need to walk or be driven. High school eligibility, at 2.25 miles, is unchanged. If you are house-hunting near a school, the exact distance from your front door to the school building is now more important than ever, so it is worth checking against the new threshold before you settle on a street.

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Phones stay off all day

Under New Jersey's new "bell to bell" cell phone law, Montclair now requires phones, smart watches, tablets, and earbuds to stay powered off and stored in designated spots for the entire school day, per a letter from Superintendent Ruth B. Turner. The district also added new limits on classroom Chromebook use. The statewide law applies across New Jersey, but each district decides the details, so Montclair families are seeing a firm all-day policy this year.

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Budget cuts are still working their way through

The district's 2026-27 budget came in at about $179.8 million after a turbulent year that ended with a net loss of roughly 16 staff positions once reassignments and vacancies were counted. Freshmen sports were voted out and then saved, and the district is still adjusting programs after a year defined by deficit and cuts. For families, the practical takeaway is that some programs and staffing are leaner than they have been, so it is worth asking your school for the current details.

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What this means for buyers and homeowners

• Schools drive the decision. Montclair remains a draw for families, but the busing threshold and program changes are exactly the kind of detail worth verifying before you commit to a neighborhood or a specific house.
• Taxes are part of the picture. The average Montclair home sees school taxes go up by roughly $851 this year, and a separate one-time referendum amount of about $1,117, for a combined increase of close to $2,000. That is meaningful when you are budgeting for a move.
• Ask the district directly. Busing eligibility and program availability can vary by address, so the best source is the district's own guidance for your specific street.

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The bottom line

Montclair's 2026-27 school year brings real, practical changes around busing, phones, and budget that families should factor into their move. None of them undo what makes the town appealing, but they are the kind of specifics that matter when you are choosing a block. If you are weighing a home here and want to talk through what the school picture means for your family, I am happy to walk you through it, no pressure.